The body is always right

Why can’t I sleep?

I’ve always struggled with this question. I’ve tried so many things, from putting all my focus on trying to resolve the issue to accepting the fact that I’m just not a good sleeper. 

But recently I’ve been dealing with a health concern and I’ve been told I’d better get a handle on this sleep business.So the first thing I do is to start thinking about all the ways that different behaviors could be affecting my sleep and what I need to do differently.

Obviously, this doesn’t feel great.

And then, as often happens the voice of wisdom comes and says:

“Your lack of sleep is likely due to trauma. Not sleeping is a very wise defense response your ancient brain has come up with to protect you from something that happened to you so treat it with respect. The behaviors that you think might be affecting your sleep are in place because they too are helping you manage the fear that you haven’t been able to address yet.”

My Somatic Experiencing instructor said…Whenever we’re struggling with something, there’s an assumption that we’re doing something wrong and this assumption comes from our neocortex which is responsible for conscious thinking and likes to be in charge. 

Let me be straight with you: This assumption is not helpful. 

When you look at it from the perspective of the body - or more accurately the subcortical brain which is responsible for subconscious and automatic responses to danger - this part of us is always right.

If it wasn’t for the quick reaction of the lower parts of our brain we wouldn’t be alive. I mean, how helpful would an intellectual discussion about whether or not you should remove your hand from the burning stove be?
Not so helpful.

She called this “we’re always doing something wrong” assumption of the cortex, “cortical snobbery”.

I don’t know about you but I find this amusing. 

I’m picturing my cortex walking around all dressed up in a tuxedo, a high hat, a mustache and a cane, telling the rest of the body it’s doing it all wrong. 

With this idea in mind I feel more equipped to address the trauma surrounding my sleep and I’ll tell you more about it in my next post because it’s an excellent example of how to work with trauma.